Job Summary:
The Family and Victim Advocate of Cherished Hearts is responsible for providing advocacy services to child victims of abuse and their non-offending caregivers. The initial contact with these families will begin before or when the child and family arrive at Cherished Hearts for the initial forensic interview. Advocacy services would include, but are not limited to crisis intervention, assessing the needs of the child and their non-offending family members, education on the investigative process, and comprehensive case management. The Family Advocate acts as a compassionate liaison between families and multidisciplinary team members, fostering communication and access to essential resources, while maintaining a focus on safety, stability, and long-term wellbeing.
Goals
The goals of the Family and Victim Advocate are as follows, but are not limited to:
- Conduct initial caregiver intake assessments; gather psychosocial information and explain the advo-cacy process.
- Educate non-offending caregivers on their roles during the investigative process.
- Provide information regarding available resources that will help restore and maintain stability for the child and their non-offending caregivers and further decrease the likelihood that the child and/or family will be affected by child abuse in the future.
- Maintain regular follow-up contact through phone calls and/or meetings to make sure the child and non-offending caregivers are receiving appropriate services.
- Provide immediate emotional support and crisis intervention to child victims, vulnerable adults and/or non-offending caregivers using trauma-informed approaches.
- Educate caregivers on victims’ rights and support them in applying for Mississippi Crime Victims’ Compensation.
- Perform individualized needs assessments and connect families to appropriate mental health, medi-cal, legal, and community-based services.
- Maintain consistent, supportive communication with families throughout the life of the case; pro-vide updates on case progress and support court navigation.
- Coordinate with the District Attorney’s Office to ensure families are informed and prepared for court proceedings; attend court with families as needed.
- Must meet with the DA’s Victim Advocates outside of formal case review to review cases to prevent duplication of services. Meetings must be documented.
- Facilitate developmentally appropriate court education and child preparation in collaboration with victim assistance professionals.
- Attend MDT case review meetings and represent the voice and needs of the family to partner agencies; document and follow up on family-centered case updates.
- Document all client interactions, service referrals, follow-up contacts, and outcome surveys in the case tracking system.
- Complete and document Outcomes Measurement System (OMS) surveys when required to assess service impact.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Make initial contact with the non-offending caregiver prior to their arrival at the Center. Answer any questions they have regarding what to expect during their initial visit.
- Determine who will be bringing the child to the Forensic Interview so that arrangements can be made, if needed, for consent forms to be signed.
- Welcome the child victims and their non-offending caregivers to the Center.
- Make the child and their non-offending family feel as comfortable as possible while at the Center.
- Meet with the non-offending caregivers prior to the child’s forensic interview to answer any questions they may have or to provide support.
- Provide non-offending caregivers with the proper intake and consent forms and be available to answer any questions they may have regarding such forms.
- Provide information to the non-offending caregivers regarding available resources such as crisis intervention, victim’s compensation, mental health services and medical services.
- As directed by the appropriate Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) members, provide appropriate referrals for mental health and/or medical services. Help the non-offending caregivers schedule appointments, if needed.
- Provide resources for other services that the non-offending caregiver may need such as lodging, housing, food, clothing, utilities, etc.
- Conduct and document follow-up phone calls to non-offending caregivers to ensure that the child and family are receiving mental health intervention and to assess for additional needs. Follow-up calls should be made like so: 2 weeks post forensic interview, 3 months post forensic interview, 6 months post forensic interview, or until the case has come to a resolution or longer if advocacy services are still needed by the family.
- Attending regularly scheduled MDT meetings.
- Refer the child victim and the non-offending caregivers to the Victim Assistance Coordinator at the District Attorney’s Office for information regarding case status in the judicial system.
- Coordinate with the Victim’s Assistance Coordinator for the DA’s Office to provide court preparation for the child victim and their non-offending caregivers.
- Attend court hearings and trials to support the child victim and their non-offending caregivers.
- Maintain the highest level of confidentiality regarding the child victim, the non-offending caregiver, and perpetrator information.
- Regularly attend training and educational seminars, as approved by the Executive Director.
- Attend training for child abuse educational awareness programs to present such programs within the Center’s service area.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
- Conduct all activities in accordance with the highest ethical standards and professionalism.
- Adhere to the mission and policies of Cherished Hearts.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or another related field, preferred.
- High school education and at least 1 years’ experience in social work, education or another related field, required.
- Demonstrate discretion, maturity, integrity, and compassion in handling sensitive issues.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Exceptional problem solving and organizational skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to work professionally with children and parents/caregivers.
- Computer skills to include, but not limited to: Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Canva
- Proficient with Social Media
- Ability to work a flexible work schedule to provide services to families in time of need.
- A valid driver’s license.
- Proof of Automobile Insurance.
- Background check.
Required Training & Ongoing Education:
Required Cherished Hearts CAC Trainings
- Cherished Hearts CACOJT shadowing each position for an improved understanding of how the CAC operates and the services we provide. (1 week)
- OVC VA Training – Within 90 days of each grant cycle - online
- Vicarious Trauma – 1 hour video
- Mandated Reporting – Coalition Manager
- HIPPA Compliance – Video Coalition Manager
- Human Trafficking – latest training using best practices
Required Family Advocacy Trainings
- Family Advocacy Modules 1-3
- Family Advocacy 2.0
- Family Advocate Peer Support
Continuing Education:
- Minimum of 8 contact hours every 2 years (or 4 hours annually) in child maltreatment and/or facilitation.
Pay: From $40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
